Coram Boy to Open at the Imperial Theatre, May 2

Currently playing to sold-out houses at The National Theatre in London, Coram Boy adapted by Helen Edmundson from the award-winning novel by Jamila Gavin, directed by Melly Still, will open at Broadway's Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street ) on Wednesday, May 2, 2007.   Preview performances will begin on Monday, April 16, 2007.

An epic adventure set in 18th-century England featuring more than 40 performers onstage along with seven musicians, Coram Boy has played two sold-out engagements at The National Theatre, winning the 2006 Time Out Live Best Play Award and receiving rave reviews from the UK critics.

Coram Boy is based on Jamila Gavin's best-selling novel, which author Philip Pullman describes as 'a rich and almost gothic drama, full of dastardly villains, cold-hearted aristocrats, devoted friends and passionate lovers, set against a background of cruelty, music and murder.'

"The play tells the tale of two orphans at the Coram Hospital for Deserted Children:   Toby, saved from an African slave ship and Aaron, the abandoned son of the heir to a great estate.  A story of fathers and sons, set in the dark heart of 18th-century England, Coram Boy is filled with danger and excitement," as the show is described in press notes.

The show is recommended for audiences ages 12 and older, adults, and young adults.

Coram Boy is designed by Ti Green and Melly Still, with lighting design by Paule Constable, music by Adrian Sutton and sound design by Christopher Shutt. The music director is Constantine Kitsopoulos and the fight director is Thomas Schall.

Casting for the Broadway production of Coram Boy is currently underway.

Coram Boy is the latest National Theatre production to be produced on Broadway by Boyett Ostar Productions.  Previous plays include Alan Bennett's Tony Award-winning Best Play, The History Boys, directed by NT Director, Nicholas Hytner, as well as the recent productions of Jumpers, Democracy and The Pillowman.

"In its three theatres on the south bank of the Thames in London, The National Theatre of Great Britain presents an eclectic mix of new plays and classics, with seven or eight productions in repertory at any one time. It aims constantly to re-energise the great traditions of the British stage and to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike."

Tickets for Coram Boy will go on sale in January, at a date to be announced.